Barbering tool



Jan. 22, 1957 F. L. HAZELQUIST BARBERING TOOL 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Dec. 22, 1952 INVENTOR. FRED L HAZEL Y OU/ST ATTOR/Vf) JanQZZ, 1957 F. L. HAZELQUIST BARBERING TOOL 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Dec. 22, 1952 JNVENTOR. FRED 1.. H4 ZELQU/ST My Z I ATTORNEY Jan. 22, 1957 F. L. HAZELQUIST 2,778,107

BARBERING TOOL Filed Deb. 22. 1952 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 sssss 1 44 3 a IN VEN TOR. FRED L. HAZE'LOU/ST ATTOR/VE BARBERING TOOL red L. Hazelquist, Menlo Park, Calif. pplication DecemberZZ, 1952,,SerialiNo. 321,385 6 Claims. (Cl. 30-- 201 The present invention relates to clippers of the oscilparticularly to a Power-operated clipper 19 52, by Fred L. Hazelquist.

Many attempts have been made to devise a simplebarthe individual hairs; extending outwardly, others curling in several directions. By using both hands, the skilled barber will meet this problem by first aligning and arranging the individual hairs with his comb, andthencutting the protruding hairs With hi8 barber shears r clippers. In this way he shapes the hair in relation to the head. When very curly 'or kinky hair is being cut, even the skilled barber has-dinithe barber is unable to get his-shears, or'clippers, under the hairs to properly :perform the cutting operation.

The next problem confronting the barber,

shears, or to perform this shaping opperson .attempts to cut: his

Even the barber has diflicnty when very curly or kinky hair pers, in the mirror image. in this alignment problem is cut.

Particularly in cutting'the hair at home, anotherproblemv has been to prevent the accidental. or unskilled cutting of excessamounts ofhai'r. With -present devices it has been the practice to use many varied and often complicated attachments to prevent a gouging or stepefiect in the cut hai Also, when a cuttingr'erro'rof this sort occurred, it, was irreparable, and attempts to correct the error could only be made at the gouged level-,requiring additional cuts of excess hair, leadinggto even further errors. These accidental shearings were most often caused by the. inability of. priorkart devices to'determine, before the cut, either the amount of: hair to be taken on or the extent of the cutting, stroke.

Inherent, in both these problems, of gouging. and improper shaping, is the inability to observerbefore the cut is made, the extent and angle of the: cutting stroke. The hair beingcut is usually veiledror concealed. by the clippers or by the attachment utilized. This is particularly true ly positioned in the hair to e'levate 2,778,107 Patented Jan. 22, 19.57

when one is attempting to give himself a haircut in the home, sinceproper observa the individual operator can only guess as ultimate accuracy of .the cut.

It is apparent that the present use of several different implements to overcome the. many problems voutlined to a Sumatran a omp c u a y in similar fashion to a skilled barber manipulating a comb andbarber shears.

Another object of the present invention is to provide longitudinal cutting stroke hetween a position at the "outer tree. 'ends of the comb and any intermediate position, short oft-he non haircuttin-g position at the base of the comb. Another objeetis-t o provide a haireutting device having aneasi-h visible cuttingsurfac'e that may be deliberatea portion. to be cut 01%,. while the device is still in. non-.haircutting. position,

where-by. the'operator ean'confiilen'tly determinethezextent .and'angletof theieu ttmg strokezprior tothe actualcuttin'g :operationIin rtiatedby the onezhandr Another; object is .to: :provide tan:

noise, facilitating manufaetu-r, and providing a maximum stabilityof cutting alignment .between the cuttingnsurfaces during the life ofithedevice.

Another object is to provide a cutting or clipperblade that is especially designed .to provide aminimurn of bean 'ing surfaces, carry it's own lubricating device, prevent entry 'ofhair into theibearin'g surfaces, dissipate heat duje to'friction', yet'which ifs'light in weight, and is easily removable :for cleaning or possible replacement.

:bearings and anxeasily-reached lubricating wick for the up and arranging the hair to be Other objects and apparent from the drawings in which:

Fig. 1 is an exploded perspective view of the respective parts of the novel barbering tool of this invention.

Fig. 2 is transverse section through a completely assembled device along a line indicated by 2-2 in Fig. 1, showing the oscillating cutting blade in its non-haircutting position and the comb as having completed its hair-picking-up operation.

Fig. 3 is a similar view showing the cutting blade in an intermediate cutting position, subsequent to a cutting operation performed by advancing the cutting blade from its position shown in Fig. 2.

Fig. 4 is a side elevational view of the barbering tool, approximately life-size, showing the cutting blade in its extended cutting position.

Fig. 5 is a view substantially advantages of the invention will be following description and from the on the line 5-5 of Fig. 2.

Fig. 6 is a perspective view from a direction opposite that of Fig. 1, of the pivoted yoke assembly utilizable in this invention to transfer vibratory and oscillatory energy to the cutting blade.

Fig. 7 is a lengthwise section through a portion of the shaft and spring assembly of Fig. 6.

Fig. 8 is a bottom plan view of a novel lightweight cutting blade for use in this invention, showing one form of a lubricating wick.

Fig. 9 is a transverse section along the line 9-9.0f Fig. 8.

Fig. 10 is a side elevation of a portion of the barber tool with a portion of the cover removed to show the adjusting means for the cutting stroke.

Fig. 11 is an enlarged view on Fig. 10.

Fig. 12 is a side elevational view of the barbering tool broken away in part, showing a particular use of the device.

In a broad view the barbering tool of the present invention includes (1) a fixed comb portion A for picking cut, (2) a cutting blade B movable across the fixed comb to cut the hair held by the comb, (3) a power-converting section C for changing the rotary movements of the usual electric motor into vibratory transverse movements, (4) a pivoted yoke section D, which (a) by coaction with the power-converting section C, transmits a rapid transverse sliding motion to the cutter blade B, and (b,) by manual independent control permits a novel lengthwise motion of the vibrating cutter blade along the teeth of the fixed comb, and (5) an adjustable stop mechanism E which permits predetermined limits to be imposed on the pivoted movement of the yoke section D.

The yoke assembly D is further characterized by a three-point pivoted relationship between its parts that allows a sliding movement of the cutting blade along the comb teeth, thereby permitting the cutting surface of the comb to have a flat, concave, or convex shape. By this broad coaction of parts, an entirely new haircutting technique, as well as increased control over the cutting process, may be developed, as will hereinafter be detailed.

Referring to Fig. 5, 10 indicates a supporting or base plate extending transversely of the usual handle-forming housing or frame H, to which it is secured, as by machine screws 11. Protruding through an opening 13 in the base 10 is an eccentric disc 14 on which is mounted eccentric pin 15. Both the disc and the pin are eccentrically mounted with respect to the centerpoint 16a of the main rotatable shaft (not shown) of a power source, such as an electric motor, contained by the housing H. The amount of eccentricity of the pin 15 is indicated by the distance X. Thus, the horizontal component of the rotating pin 15 is the distance 2X. The disc 14 is slightly eccentric in a direction opposite to that the line 1111 of pivoted with apertures 30,

of pin 15 to provide a counterbalancing effect upon rotation.

Referring to Fig. 1, C indicates the power-converting mechanism for changing the rotative movement of pin 15 into a transverse reciprocating motion. This is accomplished by means of a slotted crosshead 16 slidably mounted by means of shafts 17 in bearings 18 which are, in turn, mounted in bearing brackets 19 supported on side flanges 12 of the base plate 10. The bearings 18 may be an oilless type wherein the bearing material is impregnated during its manufacture with a lubricating material in a manner well known in the bearing art. It is to be noted that the horseshoe-shaped crosshead 16 is mounted with the eccentric pin 15 in its slot so that the rotary motion of the shaft carrying the pin will be translated into a transverse vibratory or reciprocating motion of the shaft 17 in the bearings 18.

Mounted above the crosshead 16 on a pin 20 extending at right angles to the stub shafts 17 is the housing 21 into which may be threaded two yoke-supporting stub shafts 22. The shafts 22 are parallel to shafts 17 and are likewise slidably mounted in bearings 23 on block 24 which is secured to the upper portion of supporting plate 10. It is apparent that the shafts 22 will vibrate simultaneously with the shafts 17 due to the joining of crosshead 16 and housing 21 by means of pin 20.

As shown in Figs. 2 and 3, the connecting pin 20 is separated from the housing 21 by a resilient non-conductive pin mounting 25. The bearings 18 are cushioned in the bearing brackets 19 by similar bearing mountings 26. The purpose of these resilient mountings is threefold: to impart flexibility to the power-converting section C, to insulate section C to prevent electrical shocks to the user should an electric power source be used, and to insure a relatively noiseless operation of the vibrating mechanism. Attached to the side plates 12 of the base plate 10 is a rigid comb A. The comb A is preferably mounted in a fixed position as shown in Figs. 1 to 3, although an adjustable comb could be provided if desired. The comb illustrated is relatively thick and has a convexed lower face tapering to the points of the cutting teeth 28. The lower surface may assume the curve of a cylindrical segment, if desired. This shape of the lower face facilitates guiding the base of the comb along the scalp at any desired angle, or at a changing angle, so that the hair may be picked up and held in any desired position prior to the cutting operation. The top portion of the comb is preferably a flat plane surface to provide an easily-observed cutting plane, as will hereinafter be more fully explained; although the upper surface may be concave or convex or take any other desired cutting shape. Of course, any type and shape of comb may be utilized in place of the particular comb illustrated, if so desired.

Swingably mounted on the upper stub shafts 22 is the yoke assembly D. In the form illustrated in the inner surfaces of yoke arms are provided while the outer solid portions 31 provide a continuous linkage with the reciprocating shafts 22 so that the pivoted yoke assembly D will be reciprocated uniformly. Assemblage of the yoke section on the shaft ends 22 is facilitated by constructing the yoke frame into two sections 32 and 33, joined together by machine screws 34, so that the separate sections may be assembled on the shaft before being joined together. Of course, a unitary section could be utilized by providing any appropriate interlocking means to engage the shaft ends 22.

Attached to the lower portion of the yoke D is the cutting blade 13, which will respond to the reciprocating motion and slide back and forth across the upper face of the comb A. It will be observed that the teeth 28 are cut through a portion only of the upper face to provide a solid-face portion 35 on the rear portion of the comb. In its normal non-haircutting position, the yoke assembly is so positioned that the cutting blade reciprocates, trans- Fig. 1,

aware? slots 36 adapted to receive spring-actuated fingers 37 carried by the yoke assembly D. Referring to Fig. 7, it

in sleeves 43. bent from assembly D. Mounted between the finger elements 37 on the reduced sleeve portions 38a is a spacing sleeve 44. Sleeve 44 serves a two-fold function of providing an exact distance between the collars of thefinger elements and preventing the binding of the finger-actuating spring 45, as will be explained.

The fingers 37 are yieldably urged in a direction toward the comb A by means of the spring 45 which includes: an intermediate loop portion 46 engaged by an adjustable retaining member 47; coil portions 48 and 49, supported only at their ends on the spacing sleeve 44; and terminal portions 50 extending under the fingers 37 and engaged in apertures 41 therein. Yoke section 32 is provided with bent lip or flange portions 51 which cooperate with the finger-stop members 40 to limit the movement of the fingers 37 in the direction of the comb See Figs. 2, 3, and 6. It will be seen from Fig. 7 that tightening of the spring coils 48 or 49 will not cause binding, since the normal position is one spaced from the sleeve portions 38 of finger members 37.

A particular feature of the present invention is the provision for longitudinal ing cutter blade B along as is best shown by the three positions of the blade B in Figs. 2 to 4. To perform this function the yoke assembly D is especially designed to provide a novel threepoint pivotal relationship between the power-converting section C and the blade B. One pivot results from the swingable mount of the yoke shafts 22, A, second pivot results from the finger elements 37 about the shaft 42; while a third pivot results from the angular movement of the downwardly-extending free ends 37a of the finger elements in the blade slots 36. As a consequence of this pivotal relationship, a swinging movement imparted to the yoke will result in the blade B sliding lengthwise of comb A. To furnish this swinging movement a manually-operable member or actuating plate 52 the lower end of the member 52,

the rotatable movement of front yoke section 33. otally mounted the comb A. To return the cutting blade to its nonhaircutting position on the base of the blade, a spring 60 may be utilized as in Fig. 1. One free end is engaged in a small aperture 61 in a side plate 12, while the other free end is crooked to engage a down-turnedsult is that the operating plate is spring-biased to a nonwill later appear. I

It will be apparent that as the cutting blade is advanced longitudinally across the comb, the spring 45 will insure a cutting pressure between constant over a wider range. To provide further control over the tension of spring 45 a screw 63 is provided to coact with the retaining member 47 so that tightening the screw will draw the loop 46 toward the yoke section 32, to further tension the spring.

It is apparent that as the lower end of member 66 is swung toward the, end of the comb, the stop 67 will be rotated to a higher position with respect to a guideway 72 formed by the side plate 12 and a guide plate 73. Flanges 74 support the adjusting member 71 in the guideway, while the flange the slot 69 holds surface of whichever stop indentation is desired, because The forward ends of both the flange 70 and the indentations 68 may be tilted up slightly to further insure that a particular stop position will be maintained.

The lightweight cutter blade B, utilized in this invention, is shown in detail in Figs. 8 and 9. During operation it is essential to prevent excessive generation of heat due to the rapid oscillatory contact between the comb A and blade B. For this purpose the blade body is preferably pressed out of thin metal to form a fluted cutting portion having cutting teeth 94 extending to an upper curved portion 75. This curved fluted construction insures rigidity and strength to the extending cutting teeth 94 of the blade B, as well as providing a bearing surface 95 approaching the narrow thickness of the thin metal utilized. By providing a curved blade construction having this thin bearing surface, initial generation of excessive heat due to friction is practically eliminated. Portions of the rear fiat sliding surface of the blade may be cut away, as at 76, to further reduce the area of frictional contact, for this purpose. Any heat actually generated will tend to be dissipated by the large surface, as well as air currents produced by the fluted structure of the thin, vibrating blade. The primary purpose of the fluted structure, however, is to provide necessary rigidity and strength as well as a minimum bearing surface in a blade that remains lightweight, inexpensive, and easily replaceable. It is noted that the flat cutting surface 95 extends along the entire forward perimeter of the cutting blade, thereby preventing passage of hair under the blade. Also, because of the thin construction of the blade, the cutting surface 95 is easily honed to a sharp cutting edge, should this become necessary.

Attached to the under side of the cutting blade B is a lubricating wick 77 of a felt-like material. In the form shown, the wick is lightly caught by a fastening clip 78 secured to the blade in any convenient manner. Although the wick is normally positioned flush with the cutting surface of the blade, the securing clip 78 allows the outer free ends of the wick to contact the comb A regardless of the amount of wick wear caused by use. The wick 77 is easily lubricated by its exposed ends at either side of the blade without dismantling the device. Since oilless bearings are preferably used elsewhere in the barbering tool, the ease of lubricating the contacting surfaces of the comb and blade reduces lubrication problems to a minimum. 1 i

It is noted that the blade is held in position solely by the spring biased fingers 37, so that blade removal and replacement is easily accomplished.

This feature allows various types of cutting blades to be easily substituted for special hair cutting functions, should the need arise. For example, when cutting very fine silky hair, as might be found on the head of a small child, the extreme lightness of the hair may cause portions of it to be pushed forward on the comb, resisting the cutting action of the blade. To combat this particular problem, a substitute cutting blade may be provided having small serrations, or saw teeth, on the sides of the cutting teeth 94. A similar substitution potential exists as to the comb A due to the easily accessible screws 88 by which it is secured in place. Thus, either the blade B, comb A, or both, might be replaced with similar members having the desired characteristics for any particular cutting problem.

To further prevent entry of cut hair into the mechanism, a front cover plate 82 is pivoted on pins 83, on side plates 12, to ride in front of yoke assembly D. The cover 82 is mounted for quick removal by means of spring bearing clips 84 engaging pins 33. To protect the powerconverter section C, a bottom cover plate 81 is provided as shown in Figs. 1-3.

Should any out hair happen to get behind the front cover plate 82, the mechanism may be easily and simply cleaned by removing the cover plate 82 and blowing the loose hairs out the rear opening or space 80 between the comb A and the base cover plate 81.

To complete the assembly, side cover plates 85 are provided. The side plates are fastened into position by hook members 86 which fasten into grooves 87 in the housing H and base plate 10, and are held in place by machine whether straight, curly or kinky,

screws 88 passing through apertures 89 and 90 intothreaded holes 91 in the comb A.

In operation the power source is energized to start the rotary motion of the eccentric pin 15. The powerconverting section C, through crosshead 16, transposes this motion into a rapid reciprocatory motion of the stub shafts 17 and 22. The yoke assembly D and the blade B likewise vibrate transversely due to the pivoted connection of the arms 29 with the stub shafts 22. The blade B normally reciprocates in a non-haircutting position on the base 35 of the comb A as a result of the spring biasing of the operating handle 52 by spring 69. In this position the hair may be deliberately combed and picked up into the proper position to be cut oil without fear of prematurely cutting or gouging the hair, since the time of making the cut is completely within the control of the operator.

The direction and elfect of the cutting stroke is easily determined by visual positioning of the upper comb surface in the hair prior to the cut, as in Fig. 2. When so positioned, the operating plate 52 may be depressed, at any desired rate, causing the cutting blade to move along the comb teeth to an intermediate position as in Fig. 3 or to the terminal position of Fig. 4. The hair will be severed only along the line represented by the clearly observable upper surface of the comb A. When the manual means is released, the cutting blade moves back into its non-cutting position to await the operator's decision as to the next cut.

With this device the hair may be carefully shaped by a person without barbering skill, while cutting his own or ano-thers hair. No particular dexterity is required, merely the ability to position the clearly visible comb and to actuate the simple operating member. Nor is the device limited to particular types of hair, since the comb may be positioned and arranged in any type of hair, and the cutting operation will occur in the same manner across the upper comb surface. The fact that the hair may curl about the comb does not affect the cutting operation since the cutting blade B is spring biased toward the comb A and will sever all hairs protruding above the comb, regardless.

If it is desired to shorten the cutting stroke, the adjusting member '71 is pushed forward to move the stop 67 upwardly to engage the car 59 earlier in its rearward swing than in the normal position. Thus, upon releasing the operating member 52, the backward movement is stopped at any intermediate position desired. Such a shortened stroke is very useful in many particular haircutting operations.

Other advantages of the stop positions, besides a shorter stroke, will be observed. For example, if the blade is stopped in a position where its cutting surface just enters the cutting area above the base of the comb teeth, only the hairs which are able to pass into the end of the comb grooves will be cut. Compared to an extended cutting position, considerably fewer hairs will be cut in a single cutting pass. This particular stop position facilitates a cutting operation valuable in cutting long hair when the clipper is being drawn through the hair as you would a comb. This is very useful in cutting the long hairs on the top of the head, without step effect. Fig. 12 illustrates this particular cutting operation. As the comb A is drawn through the hair, no cutting will occur until the ends of the individual hairs pass well up into the comb grooves to the blade B. Thus only the hair ends are cut off, and then only at a depth easily determined by visual observation. This depth may be varied during the combing stroke by varying the angle of the handle H with respect to the scalp.

It also will be observed the comb may be utilized that the varying thicknesses of to determine the length of the hair remaining after a cut, as when the rounded portion of the comb is rested on the scalp near the base of the neck. The means of gauging the length of the remaining hair would be by the clearly visible distance of the cutting blade above the scalp, as in Fig. 4. In the extended cutting position shown in Fig. 3- the hair would be clipped short and the distance could be gauged by the comb ends themselves. In intermediate stop positions a longer length could be obtained. Such a procedure might be used in giving a crew cut, for example.

The above are intended only as examples of a few of the most notable uses of the present device. it is obvious that many different and varied uses are available, which will readily appear to the user. Thus the angle and direction of use may be different from those shown, while the ditferent stop positions greatly multiply the cutting operations possible.

To those skilled in the art to which this invention relates, many changes in construction and widely differing embodiments and applications of the invention will suggest themselves without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. The disclosure and the description herein are purely illustrative and are not intended to be in any sense limiting. For example, the powered means for imparting vibratory motion need not be rotary, but could be of a magnetic vibratory type with a direct connection to the pivoted yoke member D, thereby eliminating the need of a power converting mechanism C.

In the present application, the disclosure has not only been directed to a novel inventive device, but also to a device that may be easily and inexpensively manufactured; that will be free from excessive vibration and noise; that will resist undue wear by decreasing the number and size of bearing surfaces; that will be free from the clogging effects of cut hair, and which does not require any close tolerances or especially machined parts to maintain proper cutting alignment during its operating life.

The principal novel advantages of the barbering tool may be briefly summarized in the following characteristics of the device: a predetermined cutting stroke, by a transversely vibrating cutting blade, longitudinally along the teeth of a clearly visible comb surface; a non-haircutting position of the vibratory cutting blade allowing proper positioning of the comb before the cutting stroke is made; a three-point pivotal relationship between the cutting blade and the blade advancing means so that either a rounded or fiat comb surface may be utilized; and adjustable stop positions whereby either the length of the cutting stroke or the distance of the cutting blade above the scalp may be easily gauged.

What I claim is:

1. In a hair cutting device, wherein vibratory means are provided to impart a rapid reciprocatory motion to a cutting blade slidably mounted above a fixed comb, the combination of a supporting base, said comb being rigidly supported by the base and having a working surface, said working surface including a rear solid portion and a front toothed portion terminating at the outer free ends of said teeth, manually operable means for moving said cutting blade in a longitudinal cutting stroke along said comb teeth, spring means for normally holding said cutting blade in a non-hair cutting position on the solid portion of said comb, outer stop means for limiting the longitudinal cutting stroke of said cutting blade to a point adjacent the outer free ends of said comb teeth, and an adjustable inner stop means provided for establishing variable inner limits for the longitudinal cutting stroke between a position at the outer free ends of the comb and any intermediate position short of the non-hair cutting position on the solid portion of the comb.

2. The device of claim 1 wherein the respective stop means are laterally extending members engaging protruding ears on the manually operable means.

3. in a hair cutting device; a supporting base; a long toothed comb rigidly supported by the base and having a working surface; a vibratory member slidably mounted on said supporting base; a cutting blade on the working surface of the comb; a swingable member pivotally connected to the vibratory member to vibrate therewith and operatively engaged with said cutting blade; manually operable means engaged with said swingable member for moving said swingable member and said cutter blade to and fro lengthwise of the comb teeth to any desired position of the blade between the free and base ends of the comb teeth; said vibratory member imparting vibratory movement to the swingable member and to said blade transversely of the comb teeth in any position of the swingable member lengthwise of said comb teeth; said cutting blade being concave to said comb working surface to provide a retaining space for holding a lubricating wick in engagement with the comb whereby contacting surfaces of the blade and the comb are effectively lubricated in any sliding position of the blade on the comb.

4. The device of claim 3 in which a central portion of the lubricating wick is fastened to the blade so that outer free end portions of the wick may continue to contact the comb working surface regardless of the amount of wick wear caused by use.

5. In a hair cutting device having a supporting base and a toothed comb rigidly supported by the base, combination of a vibratory member slidably mounted on said base, a cutting blade vibrated by said vibratory me ber, concave with respect to the surface of said comb, manually operable means for moving said cutter blade to and fro lengthwise of the comb teeth to any desired position of the blade between the free and base ends of the comb teeth, said vibratory member imparting vibratory movement to said blade transversely of the comb teeth blade lengthwise of said comb teeth; and a lubricating wick retained in the concave portion of said blade between said blade and said comb and in engagement with the comb, whereby contacting surfaces of the blade and the comb are eifectively lubricated in any sliding position of the blade on the comb.

6. The device of claim 5 in which a central portion of the lubricating wick is fastened to the blade so that outer free end portions of the wick may continue to contact the comb surface regardless of the amount of wick wear caused by use.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 

